anxiety

A Chick Named Bob

  As I lay awake early this morning, thinking worrying about Henry’s appointment with the surgeon, I heard a little “chirp.” My radar is on high these days, listening for strange noises that Steve the Norway rat might make, but this little chirp didn’t sound like a rat. Steve is more likely to squeak, I…Read more A Chick Named Bob

Cheese Please

We've named our little house guest Steve. Being a Norwegian Tree rat, we should have named him Sven or Lars, but Steve just seemed right. He's not made anymore live appearances, but he visits after dark. There must be a sign posted on the mantle in a language only rats can read, that says:  "Restroom," because he does…Read more Cheese Please

An Unwelcome Visitor

My eyes are always scanning the floors of our little home, mostly because we have three dogs who make all kinds of messes. A couple of days ago, in the early morning light, I noticed a spot near the front door that looked like a puddle of something. When I looked closer, I found it was…Read more An Unwelcome Visitor

Somebody Up There is Looking Out for Me

Early Thursday morning I drove to Pasadena to get a bone scan. No big deal. I like early morning appointments because there are fewer cars on the road. After the scan, I headed for my favorite coffee shop on Colorado Blvd in Eagle Rock. Two blocks from the shop I saw a gray Mini Cooper…Read more Somebody Up There is Looking Out for Me

Hope is the thing with feathers…

  In my healthier days, when I was happily working at the zoo, I wrote a weekly newsletter for the docents and volunteers. My service dog Henry was always eager to contribute bits of wisdom to my weekly tome, so when he heard I was writing a blog, he  asked if he could add a few words. Of course, I said yes.  So today…Read more Hope is the thing with feathers…

Cockeyed Optimist?

I'm considering hatching some Mexican Speckled Quail eggs in July, if they're available. There's a place in Wisconsin, (my home state!), that sells them. Maybe I'll have better luck with a different species. Maybe I'm just a cockeyed optimist! Aren't they beautiful?

Hope floats

I was really hoping my eggs would hatch because I need a good dose of joy. I know from previous incubations that hatchlings come into the world determined to survive. They never question their reasons for being here, they just want to live. I know people like that too, and I envy them. Nearly every day…Read more Hope floats